Undead Iron Fist Is the Coolest Danny Rand Comic in Years (Review)

There has been an air of uncertainty surrounding Danny Rand for the last few years. The Iron Fist Netflix show has been viewed as a critical flop, and the controversy surrounding the character’s race and backstory has made the character appear somewhat tarnished. Obviously, long-term fans recognize the character as being more than the controversy. The character’s death in the comics and the Iron Fist title being passed down to Lin Lie led many readers to fear that Marvel was sunsetting Danny. Fortunately, it didn’t take Marvel long to resurrect the character with the new mini-series, The Undead Iron Fist.

There was some trepidation going into the first issue of The Undead Iron Fist, as the title further removes Danny from the Immortal Iron Fist mantle that he spent so much of his history under. Luckily, writer Jason Loo and artist Fran Galan exceed expectations, delivering a solid first issue that offers a new direction for Danny going forward. The first issue will reignite fans’ faith in Danny’s place in the Marvel Universe. Even though he is on borrowed time in The Undead Iron Fist, the comic makes it clear that there are still many stories to tell with Danny Rand.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Danny Rand Returns With a New Rad Costume in Undead Iron Fist

The biggest thing going for Undead Iron Fist is the new, redesigned costume for Danny. The redesign was done by artist Von Randal, giving the character a fresh look that was different from anything that came before, yet is still distinctly Iron Fist. The full cloth mask that covers Danny’s full face is a nice touch, and the gold-colored armor on Danny’s right arm stands out. The purple and yellow color scheme complements each other, working great with Danny’s new body. If there’s a nitpick with the design, it’s that it changes Danny’s fists into purple, moving away from the iconic yellow that defined the character for decades.

However, it’s a minor criticism that doesn’t take away everything else the costume does so well. If Lin Lie continues to be the main Iron Fist moving forward and retains the classic aesthetics, then this new Von Randal costume for Danny works perfectly for the character moving forward. The main cover artwork is by industry legend Whilce Portacio, further selling the new suit’s cool factor, giving it weight and gravitas.

The main meat of the story is fairly bare-bones, with the mystery of Danny’s resurrection being left in the air. The only context readers are given is that Danny spent months in the underworld, climbing a mountain, before digging out of his grave for a new mission. His mission requires fighting against invisible demons that only he can see. Some of the demons are possessing humans, leading to a humorous action scene where Danny fights a seemingly innocent-looking family in public. Danny, who is typically easy-going and charming, comes off more aggressive and dire than he is traditionally portrayed. Some fans may find it off-putting, but Danny’s more aggressive personality helps emphasize the character’s unorthodox resurrection. Danny has a limited amount of time, which explains his unusual impatience behavior. The change in personality makes sense in context, as Danny’s return from the dead is hinted at as being unglamorous.

Read Next

Immortal Iron Fist Might Finally Be Getting the Follow Up Story Fans Have Waited Years For

Galan’s pencil work is atmospheric, conveying an unsettling tone. His character proportions can be fairly loose and inconsistent, but he excels at action and motion. The fight scenes are easy to follow and quick-paced. Some of the demon designs are pretty bland and forgettable, yet Galan’s kinetic energy carries much of the artwork’s charm. There’s a lot of heavy inks in the issue, plus plenty of shadows, making the comic come across as dark and foreboding. The first issue may be light on material, but it makes up for it with its mystery and easy-to-follow action. Despite featuring an undead Danny Rand and a darker atmosphere, the comic is one of the funnest Danny Rand-starring stories in years.

The Undead Iron Fist #1 isn’t a deeply sophisticated comic, yet it is a must-read for fans of the original Iron Fist. The Iron Fist is dead. Long live the Iron Fist!

Want to stay up to date on the biggest geek entertainment news? Add us as a preferred source in Google – HERE.